Ethiopian Christmas, known locally as Genna, is a deeply significant holiday in Ethiopia, celebrated with reverence, cultural traditions, and community gatherings. This Christian holiday honors the birth of Jesus Christ, and in Ethiopia, it’s observed with a unique blend of religious practices and local customs that set it apart from Christmas celebrations elsewhere. Genna is a time of spiritual reflection and communal joy, marked by fasting, vibrant church services, traditional feasts, and festive games. In Ethiopia, Christmas traditions emphasize togetherness, devotion, and gratitude, creating an atmosphere of warmth and unity among families, friends, and entire communities.
Most of the Ethiopian population practices Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity. Christmas, known as "Ganna" (or "Genna,") is a significant date in the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian calendar. Like Christmas in the States, Ganna is more than just a single day of celebration. It’s a season of spiritual reflection and preparation that leads up to the holiday.
With over 80 ethnic groups, Ethiopia is home to many ethnicities, languages, and cultures. As many countries throughout the world have celebrated a festive holiday season, Ethiopia has its own unique and vibrant tradition.
It is said one million pilgrims make their way to Lalibela every Christmas. Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia call Christmas Genna/Gena or Ledet.
Ethiopia (and especially the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church) celebrates Christmas on January 7th, not December 25th. The Ethiopian Calendar has different months - and Christmas in on the 29th of Tahsas. Many other orthodox churches around the world also celebrate Christmas on the 7th January.
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When is Ethiopian Christmas? Ethiopian Christmas, or Genna, is celebrated every year on January 7th. Unlike December 25th, which is Christmas Day in much of the world, Ethiopians observe Christmas based on the Ethiopian calendar, not the Gregorian calendar. This unique timing makes Genna part of the wider Orthodox Christmas tradition, a day celebrated by many Orthodox Christians around the world, from Russia to Serbia and beyond. Christmas in Ethiopia is particularly special as it’s steeped in unique customs, religious observances, and a distinctive cultural flair, making it one of the most memorable events on Ethiopia’s festive calendar.
The History and Significance of Gena
Ethiopia’s Christian heritage traces back to the 4th century, making it one of the oldest Christian nations in the world. Gena is both a spiritual observance and a celebration of Ethiopia’s ancient faith, deeply entwined with fasting, church rituals, and communal gatherings.
- Name Origin: The term Gena may be derived from a traditional stick game (also called gena) or from the Ge’ez word gennana, meaning “imminent.”
- Date: Celebrated on January 7, aligning with Orthodox Christian countries that follow the Julian calendar.
As Christmas Eve arrives in Ethiopia, excitement fills the air, and Ethiopian Christmas traditions take center stage. Genna is a special time, cherished for its religious significance and cultural vibrancy. Visitors from around the world come to experience Genna in Lalibela, one of the holiest sites in Ethiopia, where pilgrims celebrate and observe the holiday in a way that transports them back to ancient Christian traditions.
In Ethiopia, Christmas is called Genna, derived from a term that means “imminent” to symbolize the imminent arrival of Jesus Christ. Unlike the commercialization that often surrounds Christmas celebrations elsewhere, Ethiopian Gena is a deeply spiritual and solemn occasion. Genna carries with it a sense of reverence and simplicity, reflecting the Orthodox Christian belief in the birth of Christ and a deeper commitment to faith. The celebrations are marked by fasting, prayers, and a sense of devotion that creates a truly unique experience in Ethiopia.
One of the most distinctive and spiritually rich traditions is the all-night vigil on Christmas Eve, when the faithful gather for prayers, chants, and processions in Orthodox churches. The celebrations start early in the morning, just before dawn, with the sound of drums, chanting, and spiritual songs filling the air. This unique expression of faith is a way for Ethiopians to honor Christ’s birth, creating a setting that transports worshippers back to biblical times.
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The Christmas celebration in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is called Ganna or Genna. Many people take part in a special Advent fast during the 43 days before Christmas. It starts on 25th November and is known as the 'Fast of the Prophets' (Tsome Nebiyat). During this time, traditionally only one vegan meal is eaten each day.
On the eve and early morning of Ganna, people participate in a night-long vigil at their church. After the service, families share a meal to break their fast, traditionally doro wat, a thick spicy stew with chicken and whole-boiled eggs. It is eaten with injera, a thin sourdough flatbread used to scoop up the wat. A coffee “buna” ceremony takes place after the meal, where guests pass around a pan of roasted coffee beans to savor the aroma. On Ganna, Ethiopians spend time with friends and family.
For Ganna, people get dressed in white. Most people wear a traditional garment called a Netela. It's a thin white cotton piece of cloth with brightly colored stripes across the ends. It's worn like a shawl or toga. If you live in a big town or city you might wear 'western' clothes.
Ethiopia isn’t the only place where Christmas is celebrated on January 7.
There are many languages spoken in Ethiopia. Merry Christmas in Amharic is 'Melikam Gena!' (መልካም ገና!), in Oromo it's 'ayyaana dhalootaa kiristoos gaarii hata'u', in Somali it's 'Kirismas Wacan' and in Tigrinya it's 'Ruhus Beal Lidet' (ርሑስ በዓል ልደት).
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How Gena Is Celebrated in Ethiopia
Ethiopian Christmas celebrations are both culturally rich and spiritually significant. Let’s look at how Genna is celebrated through its vibrant traditions of food, attire, music, and games.
1. Religious Observances
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church holds a central role in Christmas in Ethiopia, as Christmas is first and foremost a religious holiday. Christmas Eve marks the beginning of the observance, where Orthodox Christians attend church to participate in all-night prayer services. Worshippers gather for an extended Mass, dressed in traditional white clothing symbolizing purity, where they sing, chant, and listen to the priests’ sermons. Religious songs, known as Mahlet, fill Orthodox churches, with congregants singing in unison to express joy for the birth of Christ. Traditional instruments such as the kebero (drum) and tsenatsel (sistrum) accompany the melodies, creating an atmosphere of reverence and jubilation.
In places like Lalibela, where ancient rock-hewn churches have stood for centuries, pilgrims flock from across the country and beyond for this holy occasion. These churches, carved directly into the rock and dating back to the 12th century, offer a mystical and reverent setting that makes Ethiopian Christmas celebrations profoundly meaningful. The priests and deacons conduct processions, and congregants move in harmony, chanting hymns and reading the Bible, creating an atmosphere that’s both timeless and sacred. For those celebrating Genna in Lalibela, these songs and dances against the backdrop of ancient rock-hewn churches make for an unforgettable experience.
In keeping with Ethiopian Christmas traditions, Orthodox Christians fast for a total of 43 days before Genna, refraining from meat and dairy products as part of the Advent fast. This period of fasting, known as Tsome Nebiyat, is a practice of purification, reflection, and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth. It is one of the main fasts in the Ethiopian Orthodox fasting calendar. The culmination of this fasting and prayer on January 7th brings a profound sense of joy and peace as Ethiopians gather to celebrate Christmas Day.
On Christmas Eve, Ethiopian Christians attend an overnight church service, usually starting around 6:00pm and finishing at 3:00am. People line up surrounding a church and begin a long, looping procession around the circumference of the church.
Everyone who goes to church for the Ganna celebrations is given a candle. The people walk around the church three times in a solemn procession, holding the candles. They then go to the second circle to stand during the service. The men and boys are separated from the women and girls.
Christmas celebrations in Lalibela begin on January 5th and continue until Christmas morning January 7th. After the morning church celebrations their fasting period of 43 days ends and they are provided with food prepared for thousands. The fasting before Christmas day is to cleanse their body and souls in preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
The sunrise Christmas celebrations on January 7th centre around Bete Maryam (sometimes spelt Mariam) which means House of Mary. Bete Maryam is the oldest church in Lalibela dated back to the 7th century during the kingdom of Axum. However, most believe the churches were all built during the 12th and 13th centuries after being commissioned by King Lalibela.
Inside the courtyard there is a tight circle of priests with drummers in the inner circle. They have moments of chanting, dancing and swaying in faultless unison with the pilgrims joining in (vocally) in moments of celebration. These priests perform their traditional hymns and movements with varying intensity throughout the morning. Once the priests above the rim respond they ones below move further around the courtyard and repeat again and again all around the outside of the church. The priests above represent angels in heaven and the priests below chanting represent the people on earth. The priests above respond to their hymns and chanting and the seamless 2-3 hour ceremony at Bete Maryam church is an incredible display of devotion in religious solidarity and harmony. The Christmas celebrations in Lalibela are broadcast live on Ethiopian TV.
The celebrations and overnight vigil takes its toll on many and there are people sleeping in this holiest of places and some priests the next day are noticeably struggling to keep their eyes open after an exhausting few days.
- Fasting: In the 43 days before Gena, many Ethiopians observe Tsome Nebiyat (The Fast of the Prophets), eating only one vegan meal daily. Fasting also includes abstaining from all animal products and psychoactive substances, including meat, Alcohol (drug), dairy products, and egg.
- Church Services: On Gena Eve, worshippers dress in white traditional shamma cloth and attend a midnight mass, often standing for hours of prayers, hymns, and liturgy.
- Processions: Many travel to renowned holy sites such as Lalibela, where ancient rock-hewn churches host grand celebrations and pilgrimages.
2. Traditional Foods and Feasting
Christmas in Ethiopia is synonymous with festive feasts. After fasting throughout the Advent season, families gather to enjoy a variety of traditional dishes on Christmas Day. Central to the Christmas meal in Ethiopia is the famous Doro Wat, a richly spiced chicken stew often served with hard-boiled eggs. This delicacy, paired with the staple sourdough flatbread Injera, is savored by family members and guests alike, symbolizing the breaking of the fast.
Other traditional dishes that make an appearance include Kitfo (spiced raw or cooked minced meat) and Tibs (sautéed meat with onions and spices), each representing the flavors of Ethiopian cuisine. Coffee ceremonies are also an integral part of Ethiopian Christmas traditions, as Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. After the meal, the coffee ceremony invites guests to enjoy freshly roasted beans brewed in a traditional clay pot, served with incense and snacks to bring people together.
Traditional Christmas foods in Ethiopia include 'wat' which is a thick and spicy stew that contains meat, vegetables and sometimes eggs (sounds yummy!). Wat is eaten on a plate of 'injera' - a flat bread.
- After mass, families break their fast with Doro Wat (spicy chicken stew), injera (sourdough flatbread), and traditional honey wine (tej).
- Meals are communal, featuring large gatherings and celebration.
3. Gena: The Traditional Game
One of the most distinctive Ethiopian Christmas traditions is the Ye Genna Chewata, a game played on Christmas Day. Ye Genna Chewata is similar to field hockey, where two teams use sticks to maneuver a ball, symbolizing the shepherds who used similar tools during the time of Christ’s birth. This game is especially popular among men and boys, who compete in good spirit as part of the celebration. The energy and excitement of the game bring communities together, adding a unique sporting element to festivities of Christmas in Ethiopia.
Around the time of Ganna, the men and boys play a game that is also called ganna. The game is closely associated with Gena, the January 7 celebration of Christmas, from which it gets its name along with another, rugby-like, sport.
- A unique feature of Ethiopian Gena is the Gena stick game, resembling field hockey.
- Traditionally played by men and boys after church, this game symbolizes joy and the festive spirit, said to commemorate the shepherds celebrating the birth of Christ.
4. Music, Dance, and Community
Homes and villages resonate with traditional music, singing, and dancing. One of the distinct features of Ethiopian Christmas is a traditional game similar to hockey.
An area of religious and historic significance and one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ethiopia, the religious ceremonies have remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of years.
Ethiopian Christmas: Discover the Unique Traditions of Ganna 🎄🇪🇹
Traditional Dresses
Ethiopian Christmas is a time when people dress in their finest traditional clothing, especially Habesha kemis for women and Netela or Gabi for men. These garments, often handwoven with intricate patterns, are a source of pride and represent Ethiopian heritage. White and beige tones dominate, symbolizing purity, humility, and devotion. The elegance of these outfits enhances the celebratory spirit of Christmas in Ethiopia, as families and communities come together dressed in their best.
Christmas in Lalibela
Thousands of people slept in this area. everyone celebrates being in lalibela at this time. By midday on Christmas day the areas are noticeably becoming less crowded with many starting their journey home. Theres plenty of people that are finally having a needed sleep and there’s plenty of people still visiting and praying at the churches.
St George is the iconic and most famous of Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches. With no overhead shelter it is a popular place for many visitors to Lalibela to take photos. People are in their finest holiday outfits as well as draped in cloth representing the colours of the Ethiopian flag.
During our visit to St George Church just before sunset one man, named Efrem, got down on one knee in front of his girlfriend and asked her to marry him. After putting on her promise ring (like our engagement rings) they hugged in the golden light with St George Church as the backdrop. It was so super special to watch her delight and amazement. I’m delighted I could take their photo which I then sent to them so they had a copy.
There are also multiple weddings on Ethiopian Christmas Day in Lalibela. These are not when they become “husband and wife”, but when they become married to god. The couples initially are all together, but after the mornings processions have finished you see them walking around in various places around the rock-hewn churches as couples. It is a commitment, recognition and honour for the most devoted couples.
Couples that have been married and are yet to have had a child come to Lalibela for this blessed holy water. It is believed it will help them conceive and have a baby. Lalibela is a lifetime experience that is definitely worth visiting!
The masses of people that come to Lalibela for Christmas are from many different places in Ethiopia. People are happy to have their photos taken by others as they are proud to be in Lalibela. Myself and my tour client also got asked many times to be in selfies and photos with some of the Ethiopians taking photos to remember their day. Especially those that come from remote country areas that are not used to seeing “Farenjis” (foreigners).
The Ethiopian capital city is Addis Ababa. It's a modern city. Most people who live outside big cities live in round house made of mud-plastered walls which have thatched cone-shaped roofs. The design of Ethiopian Church is similar to the houses. In the country, they are often very old and have been carved out of rock.
trading stalls are everywhere on religious holidays. The religious ceremonies bring many traders to Lalibela who set up stalls or sell from vans. Traditional clothes, decorative white shawls, necklaces on crosses, bibles and Lalibela T-shirts are some of the most popular items you will find. Many people lose their shoes/sandals when entering the churches, so there’s also plenty of places that sell more plastic sandals for those that can buy new ones. The traders are happy as it is a busy time with plenty of people to buy their goods.
Here is a table summarizing key aspects of Ethiopian Christmas traditions:
| Tradition | Description |
|---|---|
| Date | January 7th |
| Name | Genna or Ledet |
| Religious Observances | All-night prayer services, processions, hymns, and fasting |
| Fasting Period | 43 days before Genna (Tsome Nebiyat) |
| Traditional Foods | Doro Wat, Injera, Kitfo, Tibs, and coffee ceremony |
| Traditional Clothing | Habesha kemis for women, Netela or Gabi for men |
| Traditional Game | Ye Genna Chewata (similar to field hockey) |
| Key Locations | Lalibela (ancient rock-hewn churches), Addis Ababa |
Ethiopian Christmas, or Genna, is a holiday like no other. From the chanting of religious hymns in ancient rock-hewn churches to the traditional games of Ye Genna Chewata, Christmas in Ethiopia is a blend of reverence, culture, and community. It’s a time when friends and family come together, dressed in elegant traditional attire, to feast, pray, and rejoice. Visitors who experience Genna in Ethiopia often find it a truly moving holiday, filled with a spirit of unity, faith, and authenticity.
So, as January 7th approaches and the sounds of celebration fill the air, Ethiopians everywhere greet each other with “Melkam Genna!”-Happy Ethiopian Christmas! The traditions, both religious and cultural, are a testament to the resilience, warmth, and faith of the Ethiopian people.
